Beanacre Barn Blog
- A view from the top of the Mendips!
A somewhat occasional blog in which we aim to provide news and comment on local events, happenings and items of interest from the viewpoint of 700+ feet on top of the Mendip Hills.
A Brief History of Binegar in Somerset
As this is the first post in the Beanacre Blog I thought it might be appropriate to provide a brief history of our village of Binegar Medieval Village The early name of the village was Begenhangra, in a charter of 1065, which probably meant the “slope where beans are grown”. We adopted the early meaning of the village name in naming our cottage, the Beanacre Barn! Located on the A37 about 14 miles south of Bath and 4 miles (6.4 km) east of Wells, It had a population in 2011 of 313. The Norman Church of the Holy Trinity was rebuilt in the 15th century, and again rebuilt (except for the tower) in 1858 for Rev William Heade. The tower contains two bells dating from 1776 and made by William Bilbie of the renowned Bilbie family. It has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade II* listed building. (ack…
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The Somerset Levels and Moors
At the heart of Somerset in the southwest of England is an area called the Somerset Levels and Moors. It has international status as one of the most important wetlands of its type in the world. The whole area was under water until about 4500 BC when peat deposits began to form in salt marsh, fen and raised bog environments. People have been draining the area since before the Domesday Book. In the Middle Ages, the monasteries of Glastonbury, Athelney and Muchelney were responsible for much of the drainage. The Levels is extremely rich in wildlife and wild flowers. It is one of the finest remaining lowland wetlands left in Britain, and is also internationally important for migrating birds. The Somerset Levels and Moors includes 32 Sites of Special Scientific Interest, of which 12 are Special Protection Areas. This is also one of the best places in the UK to witness…
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Somerset – A wealth of National Trust!
Seeing this beautiful image of the bluebells on Brean Down reminded me of the great number and diversity of fascinating National Trust properties within easy reach of the Beanacre Barn here in Binegar, Somerset. As you can see from the map on this linked page, these include the house and majestic gardens at Stourhead, home of the National Trust; grand historic country houses such as Tyntesfield and Montacute, the location used for much of the classic TV series “Wolf Hall”; the mystical Glastonbury Tor and the towering cliffs of Cheddar Gorge. Whether you wish to stroll in beautiful gardens such as those at The Courts, explore fine country houses or hike along Brean Down for stunning views out into the Severn Estuary with Wales beyond, this Jewel of the Southwest that is Somerset has so much to offer! Check out our suggestions of places to visit and where to eat…
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Wells in Somerset – England’s Smallest City
A visit to Wells during your holiday in the Beanacre Barn should be at the top of your list! The cathedral city of Wells, England’s smallest city is a historical gem! With a population at the last count of just over 10,000, Wells is the smallest city in England. Roman & Medieval City The city was a Roman settlement and was later the site of a minster church founded by the Anglo-Saxon King Ine in 704. In 909, it became the seat of the bishopric of Bath and Wells in1245. The present Cathedral was built in early 13th century. Wells was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Welle. Wells Cathedral Standing on the vast open Cathedral Green you cannot help but marvel at the architecture. The grand front with all the carved stone figures and arches is impressive but a walk around within its walls is a quite stunning experience! …
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Autumn Festivals in Wells, Somerset
Somerset is home to an amazingly wide selection of festivals. These range across art, media, literature, live comedy, food and film. The magnificent historic city of Wells is host to a number of these. I particularly want to draw your attention to two outstanding autumn festivals; the Wells Food Festival and the Wells Festival of Literature The Wells Food Festival – Sunday 13th October 2019 On Sunday 13 October 2019, Wells is set to be the centre of all things foodie. The seventh annual Food Festival returns to celebrate the best of Somerset’s wonderful local produce from over 150 of the area’s best artisan producers. The Festival is billed as”a celebration of Somerset’s rich culinary heritage” and “one of the prettiest food festivals in England”. It is is free to enter. Graze your way round the Artisan Producers Stalls which extend from the Market Square, along the Bishop’s Palace Moat…
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Somerset Art Weeks (SAW) Festival 2019 . . 21 Sep – 6 Oct 2019
This autumn it’s all about another very special festival in Somerset. From 21 September to 6 October the annual and ever popular Somerset Art Weeks Festival returns, transforming the county into a showcase of creativity and innovation. This year marks the Silver Anniversary of Somerset Art Weeks. Since its first event in 1994 it has grown to one that featuries 160 venues and artists, art groups, organisations and one-off exhibitions. This is now the largest visual arts event in the county, investing in the arts community and enriching lives. Over 16 days more than 400 artists will be showcasing their work in unique venues across Somerset. This year the festival is exhibition-based and focuses on celebrating artistic ability and individuality with a hugely diverse range of crafts, skills and media being incorporated into the event. The eclectic mix of artists ensures that the festival will be not only visually exciting…
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